My computer is making a high pitched, nonstop whining sound lately, and I'm hoping it isn't anything more complicated than a noisy fan. The thing is, can I easily replace a fan myself? I'd rather not leave my computer at a service place for three weeks for this. What else might create a constant whining sound? How can I better diagnose this? My other computers are totally silent by contrast, so I know something is off here.

Thanks!

Most of the fans are easy to replace, but first, you need to figure out which one it is. If it is the power supply or the cpu fan, it can get tricky.

Yeah, I'm no expert in this, unfortunately. Has anyone had a similiar problem like this with a noisy fan? To my untrained eyes and ears it might be from the larger one.

Power down.

Then: is the fan dusty? Blow dust out of the case with a blower. Or unscrew the powersupply (after unplugging) and blow it out.

Things wear out. That is why you can replace components on a PC. You can replace the power supply or you can replace the CPU cooler.

Your graphics card also has a fan. Try unplugging it (switching to the onboard graphics) and see if that is the fan that is causing problems.

You need to research for each component. Jot down the part numbers.

Barry,
The fan on my graphics card did that, then pretty much stopped working. I took the card in with me to make sure the holes matched up on the aftermarket fan in the PC store, then fixed it myself. Like Keith said, that could be your culprit. If so, if I can do it, it'll be a piece of cake for you.

Thanks, everyone. I'll be investigating all these suggestions. By the way, what should be the average temp of a computer? Mine hovers around 50. Do temps reflect functioning or non-functioning fans?

Temperatures depend on where the temperature sensor is, how the motherboard reports temperatures, and (if applicable) how the CPU reports temperatures. i.e. two computers can run be as hot as each other, but their sensors might report different things.

But 50C sounds right if it's your CPU.

Do temps reflect functioning or non-functioning fans?
Well a visual check would suffice to see if your fans are working.

Temperatures can be tested with your motherboard's monitoring utility (get it from the motherboard manufacturer) or by stress testing your computer.

Most of the fans are easy to replace, but first, you need to figure out which one it is.

A quick trick to find which fan is noisy is to stop the fan briefly and see if the sound goes away. I usually use my finger, but let common sense guide you!

Barry:

What type of a computer are you using? What are it's specs: processor(s), year purchased, OS version?

These questions may help determine if it is a mechanical issue (dusty blades, bad bearings, old fan, etc.) versus a firmware or design issue.

One of my Macs, for instance, was notorious for producing a high, whining noise from one of its fans. It was the make of fan that caused the problem and newer models used a different fan which "fixed" the problem. Some people have experienced fan whining and fan acceleration after updating their OS.

If yours is a constant whine, it may very well be mechanical in nature and not firmware related.

I have a PC, XP, Pentium 4 /3.01 Ghz from 2004. I'm certain it was mainly silent until recently; when I now shut it off for a time and restart it, the whine is not there, but then it gradually returns after several minutes. It can be a moderate whine at times, or a screechy whine.

One of my Macs, for instance, was notorious for producing a high, whining noise from one of its fans.

In College, I was known for making a high pitched whine, every time I had to use one of their Macs.

In College, I was known for making a high pitched whine, every time I had to use one of their Macs.

And it was even worse when you went to the computer lab (full of Macs) and everyone was whining.

Hi Barry... Not sure how much of a techno-geek you are, but keep in mind that, to the untrained ear, a hard drive may also make a whining sound that could be mistaken for a fan problem. Some drives will get noisy over time. If the drive IS the issue, I'd recommend replacing it as soon as possible, and maybe even getting a replacement from the manufacturer, if it's under warranty.

Barry:

Unfortunately I do not have an answer to your problem. I'm very familiar with fan noise issues with Macs but not PCs.

Barry,

I agree with Matt. When my hard drives start to go bad, the first thing I notice is an extra sound to my computer. And whenever you plan to open the computer case, first thing you do is backup! Changing the power source or case fan isn't too bad, but the CPU fan can be tricky, just because of the risk to the cpu beneath it and the motherboard when you are removing and replacing it.

Hope you've got it solved by now.

Leslie

I have had noisy CPU fan motors on older machines.

(I don't know what the new ones are like. Likely they will be a similar design but if they are a ball bearing motor, then the following cure is not valid though dry ballbearings might be recovered for a while by the method.)

My CPU motors were cheaper ones. The bearings were not two but one, a single oilite bush (sintered bronze or similar to the more enginerrically minded.)

There is a correct grade of oil to use for these and fairly hard to find as a single drop which is all that is required. So I made do with a drop of automatic tranmission oil dipped out of the power steer on the car.

To get at the bearing is simple. On the rear of the motor, fortunately the side facing you as it sits on the board, is a silver label carrying the printed motor brand or model number.

This means you don't have to pull the motor off the CPU and risk breaching the conductive material which transfers heat from the CPU to the metal heatsink.

Tease and peel that label off and beneath, you find a short shaft end and around it a bearing. There may be likely a small "E" clip as well.

Take a match stick or satay skewer. Chew the end so it begins to look a bit like a paintbrush just enough to grip the oil drop without it rolling back down the stick. (Don't slobber all over it but keep it dry. - corrosive saliva and good steel are not meant for each other.)

Pick up a drop of oil with the stick. Place the oil against the shaft / bearing edge. - done.

The label may not go back on. Best if it is refastened with a bit of stickytape but not essential - just helps to keep the house-dust out. - good for another 12 months???

It will periodically require re-doing as the auto transmission oil does not wick into the sintered bronze bush as the correct grade of oil does and eventually becomes one with the worn material and hardens around the outside of the bearing.

The power supply fans can be similar, but venturing in there inside the power supply box also puts you in harms way due to the high primary voltages which reside in that "not user serviceable" no go area.

So going in there is most definitely NOT recommended.

Thanks for all the added input.

I haven't done anything with the problem so far since I've been so darn busy using the computer (for editing) and can't stop at this time. Right now the whine is at a moderately loud drone. I thought of the hard drive as a possible problem, and I've learned to back up all the critical stuff >every day<. When there's a lull in using the computer I might just have it checked out, since I'm no techno-geek. What hard drive would you recommend? I think I have a Western Digital.

Anyway, we're all learning more about fans here. :D

Search a site like newegg.com for drives. I only buy drives with a 5 year warranty, since it shows the manufacturer has faith in the drive. Any of the big names should be similar, but at the moment I've been buying a lot of Western Digital drives. Seagate would be another good choice.

For the record, they are pretty easy to replace, if you decide to DIY it. Just make sure you get the correct type of interface... SATA is the new thin cable, ATA is the older wide, flat ribbon cable.

I see--match a new hard drive with the original interface. My computer is from 2004--would that likely be SATA?

I see--match a new hard drive with the original interface. My computer is from 2004--would that likely be SATA?

Probably not, SATA has gotten much cheaper over the last year or so... but to be sure, open the case and look at how the drive is connected to the motherboard. A wide, usually gray, flat ribbon like wire is NOT SATA, the cable and connectors are about 2 inches wide. The SATA connector is about 1/2 inch wide on a cable, usually black, about the same thickness as a normal power cable...

I would bet that your computer has the wide gray ribbon connector. When you shop for the hard drive look at the Western Digital Raptor - very fast (10,000 - but costly). The most common speed for desktop pc hard drives is 7200 rpm, I wouldn't get anything slower, and Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi all have users who swear by them. EIDE hard drives take the flat ribbon cable. Most hard drives come with instructions on how to put them in your computer. You will need the drivers that came with your motherboard, plus any additional drivers for your other devices. WinXPpro with service pack 2 can be bought in a OEM version for around $160 if you need to upgrade your OS. When I first started building computers I found some guys at the local computer store who were willing to help me out - go to the DIY divison and ask if they have built their own rig. Some would even draw me diagrams!

The two most common pieces of the computer that I have had fail are the hard drive and the power supply.

Hope this helps.

Leslie

Thanks; I've been very busy lately but will continue looking into all this.